Healing Rays of Righteousness

Read Mark 1:9-13

Because of unexpected and difficult circumstances or events that come into our life, we sometimes find ourselves in a scary wilderness of physical, emotional, and spiritual testings, where wild animals threaten to separate us from a trusting relationship with our Father God.

Jesus’ wilderness experience immediately followed his baptism with water and the powerful affirmation from heaven of who he was: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  I believe this must have been a very reassuring moment of encouragement for Jesus as he begins his ministry.

But then Mark says that “At once the Spirit sent him out (compelled Jesus to go) into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels attended (took care of) him.”

No one chooses to journey into difficult and troubling wilderness experiences.  Not even Jesus.  However, wilderness experiences are a part of being human in a world of evil.  Many different and unfortunate events may cause us much pain and suffering.  During these difficult times of uncertainty we may struggle with inner feelings of being forsaken and unloved.  Many would describe these times as being very desolate, lonely, agonizing, and scary.

The wild beasts of anxieties and fear crouch in the brush nearby, ready to pounce and strangle us emotionally and physically.  The wild creatures of various temptations slither around waiting for the opportunity to strike with their deadly poisons.  And the vultures of doubt and despair circle overhead, waiting to devour whatever hope we are still clinging to.

I think I can say with certainty that all difficult wilderness experiences have their wild animals.  They threaten us.  They challenge our Christian faith, our moral and spiritual values, and our belief and trust in a loving, caring Father God.

The good news is that our loving, caring Father God is present with us and strengthens us to confront and overcome the threats these wild animals of the wilderness throw at us.

Mark says, “He (Jesus) was with the wild animals.”  And then he says “and angels attended him.”  Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated as “angel” mean “messenger.”  And so these angels are God’s messengers of hope, providing encouragement and strength when he needed it most.

And so he is with us.  We are not alone in the wilderness.  God’s angels are there providing the strength and reassurance we need to remain confident of God’s ever-loving care and provision for us, and journey through the wilderness experience with increased faith and trust in him.

The apostle Paul wrote our of his own wilderness experience, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but now destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

The writer of Hebrews teaches us that Jesus Christ is our great High Priest – a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and who in every respect has be tested as we are, yet without sin.  He then says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus understands the wilderness and its wild beasts.  Jesus understands our loneliness and despair, because Jesus has already been there and in every way stressed and tested even as we are.  And he is with us in our wilderness journey, promising never to leave us nor forsake us.

Thanks be to God!